Reboxetine

Identification

Name

Reboxetine

Accession Number

DB00234 (APRD00198)

Type

Small Molecule

Groups

Approved, Experimental

Description

Reboxetine is an antidepressant drug used in the treatment of clinical depression, panic disorder and ADD/ADHD. Its mesylate (i.e. methanesulfonate) salt is sold under tradenames including Edronax, Norebox, Prolift, Solvex, Davedax or Vestra. Reboxetine has two chiral centers, but it only exists as two enantiomers, (R,R)-(-)- and (S,S)-(+)-reboxetine.

Pharmacology

Indication

For the treatment of clinical depression.

Pharmacodynamics

Reboxetine is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NaRI), the first drug of new antidepressant class. Reboxetine is an a-ariloxybenzyl derivative of morpholine. Reboxetine is primarily used to treat depression but has also been found useful in the treatment of narcolepsy and panic disorders.

Mechanism of action

Reboxetine is a selective inhibitor of noradrenaline reuptake. It inhibits noradrenaline reuptake in vitro to a similar extent to the tricyclic antidepressant desmethylimipramine. Reboxetine does not affect dopamine or serotonin reuptake and it has low in vivo and in vitro affinity for adrenergic, cholinergic, histaminergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors.